A blog by author Christie Golden

Salutations, felicitations, and hello!

Welcome to my very first blog post ever. I know, I know, I’m way behind
the times. However, in the end, writing is writing…and I hope to
settle in to a regular schedule of posting my musings and meanderings
here.

It’s going to be a busy summer. Heck, it’s going to be a busy next two
years. Which is a Good Thing.

Many of you are familiar with me and my work because of my Blizzard
novels. How I got involved with them is a wonderful story, but I’ll
save that for another day. Let me just say here that as a person who
loves and plays the game, it is very exciting to be working on my
current project. Chris Metzen and I batted around some titles, but we
came back to a simple, stark, single word.

Arthas.

Yup. I’m the lucky author who gets to write the definitive novel about
Prince Arthas Menethil, who later becomes the Lich King. You know–the
guy who unleashed the plague of undeath across Azeroth. The fella for
whom the new expansion, “Wrath of the Lich King,” is named. It’s a
little intimidating, but more exciting than intimidating. Arthas is a
fascinating character, and I’ve always been intrigued by how it is that
good people slide down that terrible, slippery slope to becoming
monsters. And I get to tell this particular story.

Another fun project came my way during this busy June when I got an
email from author Richard Knaak. As many of you know I’m sure, Richard
has written several Warcraft novels himself, as well as Dragonlance
novels. He also wrote the very successful manga The Sunwell Trilogy.
Well, he wanted to know if I’d be interested in doing some Warcraft
manga short stories for Tokyopop. So it happens that today I can report
that I have just finished my first manga script. It’s about the
goblins–one of my favorite races–and the Feast of Winter Veil. And
it’s called…brace yourselves…”I Got What Yule Need.”

I know. It’s a groaner. But that’s why it’s fun!

After Arthas, I get to start another project that, for the moment, is
super secret. But as soon as I can, I’ll let you all know about it.
I’m very, very excited.

I’m lucky to do what I do, and I know it.

But I still need to make time to get out and enjoy the summer. The days
fly quickly, and before I know it, it’ll be winter again. I need to
make sure I spend a few evenings outside, breathing in the honeysuckle,
sipping a glass of Savignon Blanc and simply savoring the twilight. I
need to go for hikes in the morning, before the sun has come out in its
fierce and baking glory. And I need to be with my friends, cooking and
laughing and talking and filling the well in the company of those who
have known and loved me for a long, long time.

So, let’s start now. Pull up a chair, have a glass of wine, lemonade, or
whatever beverage says “summer” to you. Help yourself to some
watermelon and lavender cookies, and enjoy the summer with me.

We’ve still got some time.

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32 Responses

Christie!
Welcome to the blogosphere!
I had dropped by your website to ‘check-in’ on you after seeing a LOT of bad weather reports from Windsor, CO. Please, stop the tornados in Colorado — Oklahoma has you covered!

Super fun stuff on the Blizzard tie-in novels. Now, we just need to get you on a “real” RP server 😉 😉 .

Hi Jeff! You are my first poster! Yes, recently we did have some dreadful weather pass far too close to home for comfort, a tornado touched down about ten miles away. Scary stuff, but we are all doing fine here. Nice to hear from you!

Hey Christie, I’m so happy to hear that all is well with you, The weather has been crazy lately. Congrats again on all the upcoming releases. When you are going to end the torture and tell us your exciting news!

Congrats on the Warcraft projects. Hope to hear from you soon when you are able to talk about each project. Thanks for working on the Beyond the Dark Portal Q&A. I already sent the first 15 questions to Blizzard PR. It will be split into two Parts.

Glad to hear that you’re having a busy summer Christie and, as an illustrator, glad that you’re going to have a go at scripting a Manga story. I’m writing (from Yorkshire, England) because, in a coffee shop/bookshop in a garden centre – an irresistable combination for me! – I spotted one of your novels on the shelf. Star Trek ‘The Last Roundup’, despite being a grand finale, has the freshness, pace, interaction of characters and gentle humour that made the original such a success.
Many thanks, it was a delight to read!

[…] who’s written a few Warcraft books for Blizzard in the past, has started up a blog, and her first post is full of fun info for fans of the expanded universe. First, she’s going to be doing a novel […]

[…] who’s written a few Warcraft books for Blizzard in the past, has started up a blog, and her first post is full of fun info for fans of the expanded universe. First, she’s going to be doing a novel […]

Hello to all the new folks. Help yourself to virtual beverages and cookies! Richard, the manga script was well received at Tokyopop, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. 🙂 Thanks for your kind words about Last Roundup–it was a little intimidating to do Original Trek, but I certainly loved writing it.

Ash, /salute… Currently the book is slated for April, I do hope you’ll be able to get it in time.

I’m jumping the gun a bit, I have a shiny new book out I need to talk about. Next blog entry!

Oh my god thats great, i just started to play WarCraft 3 Reign of Chaos again, and i have to say to the story is so, hmm how do i put it, good 😛 , he just becomes more and more evil and seeks vengence.

I have bought all your books about warcraft and ill buy these for sure keep up the good work 😀

I loved rise of the Horde, you can really see a chronology between the books from seperate authors. Rise of the Horde, The Last Guardian, Tides of Darkness, Lord of the Clans, Day of the Dragon, etc 😛

It goes in a certain order, and I love that you’re going to do it about Arthas now! He is by far my favorite villain. I read all the books on warcraft, so I’m eager to read yours and Knaak’s Night of the Dragon ^^.

I just reread the first two books of your Final Dance series, again. I think it is a total shame that the publisher cancelled the series. I would have bought every book in the series, so I hope that some day you can continue publishing them. I really want to see how the rest of the story plays out, it is very unique, and I love Kelva and the Dragon. Congrats on your new project, and I hope it isn’t secret for long.

Hi I am with everyone about being disipointed that the final dance series was stopped with this much outcry how could they say it was not a success I don’t read ebooks so still have not read the third. I waited and waited and just found out it was not published in print. I guess I will have to try the ebook because I want to know what happens next. Good Luck on all of your other ventures

Christie Golden- for you three words-You are a genius!!! I’m super excited that you were chosen for writing Arthas, because you are an awesome writer! I love your novel Lord of the Clans !!! Sadly , in my country Rise of the Horde has not been published but I’m sure it’s awesome!!! I love your work and am sure that your novel Arthas will be a insanely cool. Please tell us what’s your secret project soon!

Hi Christie! How interesting that I found this blog just a few days after I thought, “is anyone going to ever write a book about Arthas?” He’s one of my favorite characters too, very complicated. . .I’m definitely looking forward to you of all people writing the novel, since Rise of the Horde has been my favorite Warcraft novel so far. Cheers!

OMG Hello L.A. and welcome! Everyone, Elizabeth Golden is my RL sister, say hello! 😀 And yes, Mom is right, I AM up to my eyeballs. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks it’ll settle down a bit. Course I said that back in June….

I am very interested in Arthas and have always been since Warcraft 3 came out. I must ask:

When do you think this novel/book comes out? I am living in Sweden and i am so looking forward to this novel/book! I must simply buy it! And i must do a try and ask also, will the novel cover everything from Warcraft 3 to after the Frozen Throne? Maybe even before Warcraft 3?

You know, when my fiance gave me the four book archive set containing Day of the Dragon, Lord of the Clans, Last Guardian, and Of Blood and Honor; I was absolutely intrigued by the style of your writing. While I bear no ill will towards the other authors of the Warcraft series, you out of the rest always catch my eyes.

Your style is unique, but so much that a lot of people I know would consider it bland. You get to the point, no matter what point of the story you’re on, and your ability to give enough detail to envision the scene without truly describing it is -insane-. I cannot say how many times I’ve read the archives, and still stumble over Last Guardian after finishing off your fluid style. It almost shames me, who attempts to write, but seems to add too much detail, or too little.

I am most definitely anxious to read Arthas, (though I’ve got about 8 books to read before, seeing as I am new to the novels of Warcraft), and I am absolutely certain that it will probably be my favorite work to date. I also enjoy how one can go from one side to the other, when it seems so much commitment has assured success, but fails.

Congratulations on entering the blog world, and I will definitely be reading every post you bloody well make! 😮

Hi Christie,
I hope you post more journal updates and thoughts or ponder on your mind. I’m especially waiting for the book about Arthas Menethil. You are one lucky, stacked with an honourable burden, lady.
I’ve enjoyed your style of writing so far and assume it will be enjoyable once more. Best of luck to you and may Blizzard “burden” you with more novels to write to us.

Oh; Rise of the Horde and Lord of the Clans have taken me where I wish a writer would take me in the past, and you bloody well did and took me. Thank you for the experiences. Truly.